Ebenezer seayer



@Luiten tatrs @anni @Hirst EBENEZER BEAVER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

Letters Patent No. 66,523, lated July 9, 1867.

IMPROVED CLOTHES-PIN.

.dige Sththule tuant tr in that lrttus glatrnt mit mating' :gaat nt tigt smut.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, EBENEZER SEAVER, of Boston, in the county of Sutolk .and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and improved Clothes-Pin, ordeviee for holding clothes, ctc., upon aline, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, inwhich Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved clothes-pin.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, the clasp and lock being partially open.

Figure 3'is a longitudinal vertical section of the same; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view ot' the base or lower portion -of the device.

Similar letters indicate like parts in the several iigures.

The object of my invention is to provide a clothes-pin which will e'ectually secure clothing or other fabrics to the line on which the same may be suspended, so that they cannot be detached by the wind or any other accidental cause; and the invention consists in so constructingthe parts that' compose the device and attaching them vtogether as to cause that portion which is designed to hold the clothes or other fabric ,upon the line, to be rmly locked when in use, and when locked can only be unlocked by means of pressure applied to the rear or opposite portion of the device without its being subject to the liability of unlocking by accident.

y Referring to the drawings, A, in the several iigures, represents the base of the device, which, for the sake of convenienee,I terni-the clamp The upper portion of the device is formed in two parts, B C, corresponding in general contour, when the device is closed, with the lower portion A'. The portion B, which I termv the clasp, forms an upper jaw, and is hinged at its rear lower end to the base A by means of a spiral or coiled wire,p, as shown. The ends of the wire which form the'spindle ofthe hinge p converge diagonally to a recess, f, formed in the upper ypart of the base or clamp A, where they are fastened by twisting or otherwise. This direction of the ends of the wires secures all the tensile strength of the same and tends to resist any longi'v tudinal strain. Toward the rear ofthe under surface ot' the clasp B, and in the corresponding portion ot' the' clamp A, are recesses, in which is tted a coiled spring, ol, that serves to throw the clasp B open when disengaged from the lock C. A transverse groove is formed in the inner sides and near the ends of the clamp A and the clamp B, as shown at b b', so as to fit over or encompass the line and theclothcs thereon, and vthe said groove may be provided with smaller grooves or corrugations, as seen in gs'. 1 and 4; and the front edges of the jaws may also be provided with teeth or corrugations, either transverse or longitudinal, which, as constructed, though not enlarging the gap or separation between the jaws in a manner to permit the line to slip out therefrom when strained, still, as arranged, they will furnish the space required te enclose the garment or fabric within the ljaws of the locked pin. e, in iig. 4, represents a wire spring, formed as shown, with its ends secured in the clampV A, and its front portion extending forward within the space between the grooved jaws b b.' Slots or channels are formed in the clamp, into which the sides of the said spring may be depressed. `By means of this spring a fabric, however light'or thin, may be firmly held or retained between the jaws.` The 'part C, which I term the lock, is attached to the clamp A by means of a coiled wire and spindle'in a similar vmanner to the clasp B. The said lock C is bevelled oniitsunder side from the spring to its rear end, as is also the corresponding portion of the clamp A, -so that by pressing the parts together the inner end of the clamp C will be elevated to allow the clasp B to'open. A coiled spring, h, is tted in recesses in the cla-mp A and loci; C in order to press them apart and lock the clasp B iu position. The ends of the wire forming the spindle of the hinge t converge diagonally to a recess, lc, in the clamp A, as shown in iig, 3, the ends of the spiral of the said hinge @converging diagonally to a recess, s, in lock C, in a manner similar' to and serving the same purpose as above described in relation to the hinge p. The inner or contiguous ends ofthe hinged portions, B and C, may be formed at an angle-with their axial line, as shown at w n, for the purpose of retaining the parts more firmly in position when locked. The lower edge of the lock C is cut away, as shown at r, and notches or grooves arc formed thereon,A

which serve as a rest to the upper rearend oi` clasp B. The outer surfaces of the device arc corrugated or roughened at or near their ends to enable them to be more rmly grasped while handling.

The operation is as follows: Pressure being applied to the bevelled ends of the pin, the inner edge of the lock C will rise, when the clasp B will be forced open by the springd to any desired extent. Thejaws are then placed over the clothes or other article upon the line and the clasp B pressed toward the clamp until the article to be held is tightly grasped, and in whatever position the clamp B may be it will there be automatically and rmly secured by lock C until released by pressure upon the bevelled ends. Instead of a hinged lock, as above described, a, sliding-socket may be used, formed of metal or other material, and arranged to slide under the clasp when the latter is closed, and thus locking it, or the clasp can be fastened-'or locked when shut by mean of an eccentric button pivoted to the clamp. The device may be made of Wood, metal, rubber, or any othel material, either wholly'orin part.

Having thus described myfinvention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A clothes-pin','compose-d of a base-piece or clamp, A, a hinged clasp, B, and a locking device, C, substan! tially as described, or its equivalent, for securing the clasp in'position.

2. I claim the spring c, or its equivalent, in combination with the clamp A and clasp B, as and for vthe purpose specified.

3. I claim the toothed or corrugated edges a a', in combination with the grooves Z1 in the clamp A and clasp B, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof` I have signed my name to this specification in the presence oi' two subscribing witnesses.

EBENEZER SEAVER. Witnesses:

Jos. H. ADAMS, S. R. MOSEL'EY. 

